Chelsea gained major ground in pursuit of a Carabao Cup final berth with Thomas Tuchel’s men posting a 2-0 win over city rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg at the Bridge.
MATCH PROCEEDINGS
The home side started the game on the front foot in the final third and had an early goal to show for their dominance with Kai Havertz netting the opener.
Marcos Alonso’s well timed delivery into the box came Havertz’s way past the Spurs backline and the Germany international made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
He could have doubled his account for the day with Spurs defensive failing to keep out a cross from Azpilicueta which fell to Havertz only for Lloris to make an important save.
The Blues continued to dominate the proceedings as Hakim Ziyech went close with his effort which went just over the bar and Antonio Rudiger forced a block from Tanganga.
Tuchel’s men, however, made it 2-0 thanks to a gift from the visitors with Spurs wing-back Ben Davies bundling the ball into his own net for a comical own goal.
Timo Werner came off the bench at the halftime interval to replace Kai Havertz and despite Spurs attempting to get back in the game, the Chelsea backline remained upbeat.
Werner could have got himself a goal to show for his return to action but the German striker was denied by an excellent stop from Lloris with Chelsea soon past the finish line to claim the win.
